text:
Hodgkinson was killed in the melee, while Capitol Police Officer Griner and her partner, Officer David Bailey, were injured. Both required surgery to treat their wounds, and Bailey was well enough to attend the Congressional Baseball Game and got a hero's welcome as he threw out the first pitch.
Griner required more serious treatment and missed the event while she remained under medical supervision.
Fortunately, she got her moment in the sun on Wednesday, when she threw out the first pitch from a wheelchair at the Congressional Women's Softball Game.
This was the ninth annual charity softball game played between members of Congress and the Washington, D.C. Press Corps, with money going to aid young survivors of breast cancer.
Griner got a huge ovation from the crowd as she threw out the pitch–a small token of the gratitude earned by her courageous action under duress.
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Ironically, it was the happiness of living out his dream, the elation of becoming an overnight millionaire that caused Len Bias to risk it all and lose his life to a cocaine overdose in the dorms at the University of Maryland.
ALSO READ: Snider: 30 Years Later, Bias' Death Still Resonates
At this point, 31 years later, Bias has been dead far longer than he was alive. He would have been 53, older than NBA Draft analysts Jalen Rose and Jay Bilas, and nearly as old as broadcaster Michael Wilbon.
But it's hard to imagine Bias as anything other than the grinning 22-year-old wearing a green Celtics hat on draft night. That is how he will be etched in the minds of the people he left behind as well:
Maryland Coach Lefty Driesell: "Len could do it all. He was strong. He could jump. He could shoot from the outside. He could score inside with a jump hook and a drop-step dunk. He was the complete package."
Teammate Derrick Lewis: "One person couldn't guard [him]. We ran one play all [1985-86] season. Len would come off a double stack and just take over. We all got so many open looks because they would double-team Len. He had so much athletic ability – 20-foot jumpers were nothing for him and he could really jump — and he was strong and smart."
Alabama Coach Wimp Sanderson: "My first impression of Bias was that he was an active, powerful guy and so athletic, almost like a Bernard King. He was hard to defend because you didn't know how to defend him — big guy, quick guy — and if he got a mismatch, Lefty would make sure he got the ball."
Teammate Keith Gatlin: "He was destined for greatness because Lenny worked hard. He wasn't born with that jump shot that allowed him to dominate games. He modeled his post-up game after [2013 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee] Bernard King who had the ability to — with a defender on his back — turn in the post and shoot over the top. Easily. Once Lenny had that perfected, everybody was at his mercy."
Teammate Dave Dickerson: "He was the toughest player in college basketball. … He was tougher than any player that I've ever seen to this day. I think guys were afraid to cover him, I think guys were scared of him. I don't think it was a physical, attack-type deal, I think it was a respect deal. You had to be at your best. If you were not, he was going to beat you up and spit you out and that's what he did."
Since Bias' death, the attitude and stigma of drugs has shifted over time, as has his legacy. But one thing that will never change is that Bias was one of the greatest Terps of all time, and one of the saddest stories in sports.
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But happy or sad, it promises to be a defining moment — he believes — on the road to success.
"I just want to get the opportunity," he said after the NCAA Tournament. "If it's overseas, I'm with it. I just want somebody to give me a chance and be able to make something of myself. I've just got to work hard and not let anything affect me. Just stay confident."
That confidence has likely taken a hit, as many draftniks now put him on the outside of the two-round system looking in. Even if he does get picked, it will likely be late in the second round with long odds of making an NBA roster.
"I've been doubted ever since I've been playing basketball," he said in April. "I was barely a McDonald's All American, I had to fight just to get ranked. I wasn't getting the looks I thought I should be getting.
"I just put it to the side and played basketball and proved everybody wrong when I got here. That's what I'm going to do again."
Trimble was once speculated to be a top-10 pick if he had left Maryland after his freshman season. Instead, he returned for two more seasons, and was a cornerstone player and recruiting tool for the Terps.
While he may never acknowledge that returning hurt his draft stock, he did address how the increased time in college ball helped him become a better player.
"I'm more of a point guard. I don't think anything changed about my game," he said after pre-draft workouts in Charlotte. "I haven't made every shot that I take, of course. My percentage went down. That's a lot of what people talk about. But other than that, I'm the same player, plus my play-making ability."
Wherever Trimble lands, his play-making ability will likely remain his calling card.
Follow Brian Tinsman and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.]]>
First off, the locker room was divided by "area codes," Daniels acknowledged, and certain players weren't able to cross over from one area code to the next. "They actually put my locker next to Gilbert's, purposely."
"To be a good influence?" Eric Bickel asked. "To try to calm him down?"
"Right. To kind of just stay in his ear," Daniels said. "So it was like me, Gilbert and DeShawn [Stevenson] were all on one side of the locker room, and then on the other side, you had JaVale McGee, Nick Young — those guys — [and] Dominic McGuire."
Daniels went on to share Arenas' ongoing back-and-forth with Awvee Storey, who played only the 2005-06 season for the Wizards, naming one instance in which Arenas pranked him during a film session.
"So Gilbert told me one day, 'Hey, I'm going to get Awvee really good today,'" Daniels recalled. "And we're in film after one of the games, and we're watching film session… And Coach [Eddie] Jordan is up at the television, and we're walking through film."
During the session, Daniels said "two of Awvee's rims and tires come rolling through the locker room. In the middle of film session."
"So in the middle of Coach Jordan — I don't know what he was talking about, breaking down the pick-and-roll or whatever — two 20-inch rims come rolling through the locker room," he described. "And Awvee jumps up and he's like 'Gilbert!' So we all laugh and go running down to the cage, and Awvee's car is sitting on bricks."
Asked to identify the victim in the infamous poop-in-the-shoe incident, Daniels confirmed, "It was Awvee's shoe!"
"Gilbert took Red Hot (sports cream) and put it in Awvee," he described another prank. "And Red Hot, you don't wipe it off with water, because that makes it heat up even more. You're supposed to get it off with milk. Awvee didn't know that, so he goes running to the bathroom and he just completely starts throwing water all over his face."
Follow @ChrisLingebach and @1067TheFan on Twitter]]>
TK O'Ryan's broken leg, as part of Kingdom, was one of those moments in Ring of Honor that every professional wrestler prays will never happen and one that every fan will never forget. The brutality and shock of such a severe mishap leaves an indelible imprint in your mind. It's painful to watch and even more agonizing for the person you're watching. Yet, we can never seem to look away.
That is how much of the wrestling world came to know O'Ryan. It's not how he envisioned gaining notoriety in the business. Truth be told, the fact that he's now known as the guy who broke his leg irks him to no end.
March 10, 2017. Las Vegas, Nevada. Worldwide audience.
Ring of Honor is holding its 15th Anniversary pay-per-view, and the capacity crowd at Sam's Town Live Casino is red hot. The first three matches on the card go flawlessly. Fate has no plans to extend the same courtesy to the fourth.
O'Ryan, along with his partners in The Kingdom, Matt Taven and Vinny Marseglia, are defending the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship against Dalton Castle and The Boys. All is going well until a little after seven minutes into the match.
The 27-year-old former Division I college baseball player springs off the second rope. His legs fly high above his head as becomes inverted mid-flight. It was at this point that O'Ryan knew something horrible was about to happen. He had been expecting to land on top of two competitors on the floor below, but instead … crack! His shins violently crash down on a steel guardrail separating fans and wrestlers at ringside. The powerful bone on metal collision echoes throughout the arena and plays sadistically through television and computer speakers at home. The announcer screams out "Jesus!" in disbelief. In another 30 seconds the match will be over.
>>LISTEN: The Taz Show: Bodyslams & Beyond weekdays 7-9 a.m.
The damage to his left leg is catastrophic, a fracture in two places. His fibula and tibia shaft are split in two. As O'Ryan lays on the floor, writhing in pain, one could assume that the worst of it would be over soon. But in reality, the clock had only just begun to tick on the worst 48 hours of his life.
He's helped to the back and expects to be taken to the hospital shortly. He's on the floor waiting for the ambulance. One match finishes. Then another. And another. He's still on the floor. More than an hour passes before an EMT would arrive. The level of pain is so intense that O'Ryan, who is terrified of pills, had to "get all doped up" for the ride. And for the privilege of waiting more than 60 minutes in agony and relenting to his personal no-drug policy, he says he was given a bill of $1,600. An Uber ride would cost $40 and delivered him there in less than half the time.
Once at the hospital, the waiting game continues. As he awaits to be seen by a doctor, news of the injury begins to spread online. Grotesque accidents have a habit of doing that. He passes the time by scrolling through the outpouring of support on Twitter. Eventually, he is seen and receives the devastating news about the severity of the injury. The x-rays paint a powerful picture, revealing the force with which he connected with the guardrail.
Finally, he is able to leave Las Vegas. The clock on the worst 48 hours of his life would expire once his flight touched down back home. Although the worst was behind him, the next week and a half would be no picnic either. His left leg is now supported by a metal rod and four screws and the post-surgical pain is a "10 out of 10."
The Vegas hospital bill, ambulance ride and surgery don't come cheap. So, instead of relying on a GoFundMe page, the crafty O'Ryan lobbies for the Internet's top independent wrestling store to begin selling t-shirts with his likeness. It isn't long before "I Broke TK's Leg" shirts are flying off the cyber-shelves of ProWrestlingTees.com. He says the proceeds help offset the medical expenses while his petition for relief from the hospital is reviewed. As of early June, O'Ryan has received only a call from a hospital administrator promising to review his bills immediately. They tell him that they don't take the alleged mistreatment lightly. It remains to be seen what happens from here.
In the meantime, he continues to rehab the injury and make progress toward returning to the ring. It's just unclear when that will be. But it's also not as though O'Ryan is waiting idly by at home until the doctors give him the all-clear to return. He's serving as the corner man for his tag partners and will make his way to the ring on crutches or with a cane. But the bottom line is that he's still there. And he should be there again for the Ring of Honor Best in the World pay-per-view Friday in Lowell, Massachusetts. All things considered, it's not too far from his Cape Cod home. Thankfully, we're not in Vegas anymore.
>>MORE: Ring Of Honor's Joe Koff Talks Hardy Boyz, Bully Ray, ROH Anniversary
Walk me through the injury.
It's basically been the defining moment of my career, which is bizarre to me. It's like, I can wrestle too, I don't just get hurt! I'm usually pretty durable.
Vinny and I like to joke about just how quickly that trip sucked so bad. We flew out Wednesday, so we were there a bit early, because flights to Vegas at that time are a nightmare. They asked if we could fly out early and we were happy to oblige. We thought, 'hey, we get a couple extra days in Vegas. No problem!'
We were having a great time, and then the show day happens. Everything was going smooth. We got to the arena early and had some nice food. We were energized and ready to go right up to the match. The second our music hit. we got a strong… pretty much booed-right-out-of-Las Vegas reaction. We felt like we were cooking and then in this one instant all of the sudden… For as cool as everything had been for the first 48 hours, the next 48 hours were probably the most miserable hours of my life. It was crazy.
It's hard to explain, because when I bounced off the rope going for the moonsault, the last thing on my mind was that I was going to smash my leg on the guard rail. I was more concerned that I would slip and fall on my butt and look like an idiot.
So what happened in Vegas? Were the guardrails too close?
It's easy to say that they were too close, but the reality is guys jump toward guardrails all the time. It sounds insane, but you know you've got it. I go by this motto that if I can visualize myself doing it, I know I can do it. I've done that move dozens of times. It's easy to go back since it didn't turn out well and say, 'oh, well the guardrails are too close. You should have done it on the other side.' Well, no kidding. But if I stuck that move then no one would have said a word about it.
People will talk all the time about having the heart and passion and desire for pro wrestling. But when it comes down to doing professional wrestling things, and you're in that spotlight, and it's time to do something and make it yours and it doesn't go right, now you're the idiot. It's funny, one way or the other, you're either a genius or a moron. It's just a matter of having the guts to go for it and finding out which one you might be.
It reminds me of an injury Sid Vicious had a while back in WCW when he broke his leg.
I think every wrestler has this idea that if they're going to get hurt, it's going to be something like Sid Vicious jumping off the second rope. Look at Matt Taven, he blew out his knee just jumping off the apron. It wasn't even anything crazy. But to have something actually catastrophic… look at Jeff Hardy and how many times you've seen him fall off of a ladder, and he's fine. You wouldn't expect to be injured in doing something like that. You're almost resigned to the fact it's going to happen doing something simple. It's almost kind of shocking when it happens doing (a big move).
>>MORE: From the world of Pro Wrestling
How did it alter the finish of the match? I assume you guys were supposed to go longer than that.
Yeah. I felt bad because the match was really cooking. Dalton Castle and The Boys in Las Vegas… Dalton could have run for mayor. And The Kingdom being The Kingdom and doing what they do. Well, they don't like us as much as Dalton Castle in Las Vegas. Everyone was working hard, and man it sucks. When something like that happens, as the wrestlers — if you're Dalton or The Boys — it's hard not to feel somewhat responsible just because you were in the match. I felt bad just to put that on their conscience.
But yeah, we were supposed to go a little longer. The minute that happened Vinny grabbed one of The Boys, I don't even think he knew which Boy, and said that's enough. That's just how it goes.
How's the rehab going?
The first 10 days after surgery was probably 10-out-of-10 pain. Constant throbbing relentless pain. But once that let up, I've been pretty pain-free other than moving around and being uncomfortable.
I'm still a bit of a way from being able to get back in the ring. For one, the bones aren't completely healed yet. Secondly, once the bones are healed, my left leg is noticeably smaller than my right leg. I would be doing myself, Vinny, Taven, Ring of Honor, anyone in the ring with me a disservice if I was in there before I was able to do what I do at my best quality.
What's the big takeaway from all of this?
To go from that to people acting like the only thing I've ever done is get hurt is a bit insulting. To be pigeonholed as this guy who the best thing he ever did is get hurt… when all you can do is sit at home and listen and watch, man it will wear you out. It's definitely not something I'm happy with. It's not something to let stick around. You can put it to print and mark my words that when I come back, the TK O'Ryan is going to be a man on a mission with something pretty serious to prove.
Chuck Carroll is former pro wrestling announcer and referee turned sports media personality. He once appeared on Monday Night RAW when he presented Robert Griffin III with a WWE title belt in the Redskins locker room.
Follow him on Twitter @ChuckCarrollWLC.]]>
TK O'Ryan's broken leg, as part of Kingdom, was one of those moments in Ring of Honor that every professional wrestler prays will never happen and one that every fan will never forget. The brutality and shock of such a severe mishap leaves an indelible imprint in your mind. It's painful to watch and even more agonizing for the person you're watching. Yet, we can never seem to look away.
That is how much of the wrestling world came to know O'Ryan. It's not how he envisioned gaining notoriety in the business. Truth be told, the fact that he's now known as the guy who broke his leg irks him to no end.
March 10, 2017. Las Vegas, Nevada. Worldwide audience.
Ring of Honor is holding its 15th Anniversary pay-per-view, and the capacity crowd at Sam's Town Live Casino is red hot. The first three matches on the card go flawlessly. Fate has no plans to extend the same courtesy to the fourth.
O'Ryan, along with his partners in The Kingdom, Matt Taven and Vinny Marseglia, are defending the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship against Dalton Castle and The Boys. All is going well until a little after seven minutes into the match.
The 27-year-old former Division I college baseball player springs off the second rope. His legs fly high above his head as becomes inverted mid-flight. It was at this point that O'Ryan knew something horrible was about to happen. He had been expecting to land on top of two competitors on the floor below, but instead … crack! His shins violently crash down on a steel guardrail separating fans and wrestlers at ringside. The powerful bone on metal collision echoes throughout the arena and plays sadistically through television and computer speakers at home. The announcer screams out "Jesus!" in disbelief. In another 30 seconds the match will be over.
>>LISTEN: The Taz Show: Bodyslams & Beyond weekdays 7-9 a.m.
The damage to his left leg is catastrophic, a fracture in two places. His fibula and tibia shaft are split in two. As O'Ryan lays on the floor, writhing in pain, one could assume that the worst of it would be over soon. But in reality, the clock had only just begun to tick on the worst 48 hours of his life.
He's helped to the back and expects to be taken to the hospital shortly. He's on the floor waiting for the ambulance. One match finishes. Then another. And another. He's still on the floor. More than an hour passes before an EMT would arrive. The level of pain is so intense that O'Ryan, who is terrified of pills, had to "get all doped up" for the ride. And for the privilege of waiting more than 60 minutes in agony and relenting to his personal no-drug policy, he says he was given a bill of $1,600. An Uber ride would cost $40 and delivered him there in less than half the time.
Once at the hospital, the waiting game continues. As he awaits to be seen by a doctor, news of the injury begins to spread online. Grotesque accidents have a habit of doing that. He passes the time by scrolling through the outpouring of support on Twitter. Eventually, he is seen and receives the devastating news about the severity of the injury. The x-rays paint a powerful picture, revealing the force with which he connected with the guardrail.
Finally, he is able to leave Las Vegas. The clock on the worst 48 hours of his life would expire once his flight touched down back home. Although the worst was behind him, the next week and a half would be no picnic either. His left leg is now supported by a metal rod and four screws and the post-surgical pain is a "10 out of 10."
The Vegas hospital bill, ambulance ride and surgery don't come cheap. So, instead of relying on a GoFundMe page, the crafty O'Ryan lobbies for the Internet's top independent wrestling store to begin selling t-shirts with his likeness. It isn't long before "I Broke TK's Leg" shirts are flying off the cyber-shelves of ProWrestlingTees.com. He says the proceeds help offset the medical expenses while his petition for relief from the hospital is reviewed. As of early June, O'Ryan has received only a call from a hospital administrator promising to review his bills immediately. They tell him that they don't take the alleged mistreatment lightly. It remains to be seen what happens from here.
In the meantime, he continues to rehab the injury and make progress toward returning to the ring. It's just unclear when that will be. But it's also not as though O'Ryan is waiting idly by at home until the doctors give him the all-clear to return. He's serving as the corner man for his tag partners and will make his way to the ring on crutches or with a cane. But the bottom line is that he's still there. And he should be there again for the Ring of Honor Best in the World pay-per-view Friday in Lowell, Massachusetts. All things considered, it's not too far from his Cape Cod home. Thankfully, we're not in Vegas anymore.
>>MORE: Ring Of Honor's Joe Koff Talks Hardy Boyz, Bully Ray, ROH Anniversary
Walk me through the injury.
It's basically been the defining moment of my career, which is bizarre to me. It's like, I can wrestle too, I don't just get hurt! I'm usually pretty durable.
Vinny and I like to joke about just how quickly that trip sucked so bad. We flew out Wednesday, so we were there a bit early, because flights to Vegas at that time are a nightmare. They asked if we could fly out early and we were happy to oblige. We thought, 'hey, we get a couple extra days in Vegas. No problem!'
We were having a great time, and then the show day happens. Everything was going smooth. We got to the arena early and had some nice food. We were energized and ready to go right up to the match. The second our music hit. we got a strong… pretty much booed-right-out-of-Las Vegas reaction. We felt like we were cooking and then in this one instant all of the sudden… For as cool as everything had been for the first 48 hours, the next 48 hours were probably the most miserable hours of my life. It was crazy.
It's hard to explain, because when I bounced off the rope going for the moonsault, the last thing on my mind was that I was going to smash my leg on the guard rail. I was more concerned that I would slip and fall on my butt and look like an idiot.
So what happened in Vegas? Were the guardrails too close?
It's easy to say that they were too close, but the reality is guys jump toward guardrails all the time. It sounds insane, but you know you've got it. I go by this motto that if I can visualize myself doing it, I know I can do it. I've done that move dozens of times. It's easy to go back since it didn't turn out well and say, 'oh, well the guardrails are too close. You should have done it on the other side.' Well, no kidding. But if I stuck that move then no one would have said a word about it.
People will talk all the time about having the heart and passion and desire for pro wrestling. But when it comes down to doing professional wrestling things, and you're in that spotlight, and it's time to do something and make it yours and it doesn't go right, now you're the idiot. It's funny, one way or the other, you're either a genius or a moron. It's just a matter of having the guts to go for it and finding out which one you might be.
It reminds me of an injury Sid Vicious had a while back in WCW when he broke his leg.
I think every wrestler has this idea that if they're going to get hurt, it's going to be something like Sid Vicious jumping off the second rope. Look at Matt Taven, he blew out his knee just jumping off the apron. It wasn't even anything crazy. But to have something actually catastrophic… look at Jeff Hardy and how many times you've seen him fall off of a ladder, and he's fine. You wouldn't expect to be injured in doing something like that. You're almost resigned to the fact it's going to happen doing something simple. It's almost kind of shocking when it happens doing (a big move).
>>MORE: From the world of Pro Wrestling
How did it alter the finish of the match? I assume you guys were supposed to go longer than that.
Yeah. I felt bad because the match was really cooking. Dalton Castle and The Boys in Las Vegas… Dalton could have run for mayor. And The Kingdom being The Kingdom and doing what they do. Well, they don't like us as much as Dalton Castle in Las Vegas. Everyone was working hard, and man it sucks. When something like that happens, as the wrestlers — if you're Dalton or The Boys — it's hard not to feel somewhat responsible just because you were in the match. I felt bad just to put that on their conscience.
But yeah, we were supposed to go a little longer. The minute that happened Vinny grabbed one of The Boys, I don't even think he knew which Boy, and said that's enough. That's just how it goes.
How's the rehab going?
The first 10 days after surgery was probably 10-out-of-10 pain. Constant throbbing relentless pain. But once that let up, I've been pretty pain-free other than moving around and being uncomfortable.
I'm still a bit of a way from being able to get back in the ring. For one, the bones aren't completely healed yet. Secondly, once the bones are healed, my left leg is noticeably smaller than my right leg. I would be doing myself, Vinny, Taven, Ring of Honor, anyone in the ring with me a disservice if I was in there before I was able to do what I do at my best quality.
What's the big takeaway from all of this?
To go from that to people acting like the only thing I've ever done is get hurt is a bit insulting. To be pigeonholed as this guy who the best thing he ever did is get hurt… when all you can do is sit at home and listen and watch, man it will wear you out. It's definitely not something I'm happy with. It's not something to let stick around. You can put it to print and mark my words that when I come back, the TK O'Ryan is going to be a man on a mission with something pretty serious to prove.
Chuck Carroll is former pro wrestling announcer and referee turned sports media personality. He once appeared on Monday Night RAW when he presented Robert Griffin III with a WWE title belt in the Redskins locker room.
Follow him on Twitter @ChuckCarrollWLC.]]>
Move along, Washington Wizards fans, there's nothing to see in the NBA Draft for you. Skip over to the Gong Show because for the second straight year the Wiz are simply spectators.
Philadelphia's getting Markelle Fultz with the first pick while the Los Angeles Lakers should choose Lonzo Ball. Boston's getting Josh Jackson. These teams are getting better.
The Wiz traded away their first-rounder for a temporary player bound for free agency and the second-rounder to New Orleans on Wednesday for backup point guard Tim Frazier.
Did Bobby Beathard take over the Wiz? Because the old Redskins general manager loved trading top picks. The difference over Wiz GM Ernie Grunfeld is Beathard at least found talent in the draft. Grunfeld's draft record is poor, so maybe stripping his chance of taking another European bust is for the best.
The upside of taking Frazier over a rookie is the former is a known quantity. He's a decent offensive backup who distributes the ball well and can score moderately. Frazier averaged 11.2 points and 7.6 assists when starting 30 games last season for the Pelicans. But then, the Wiz would be in deep trouble if he started because John Wall averages twice as many points.
The Wiz needed a backup point guard, though, so Frazier fills a need. It's just getting someone who played for three teams in three years with stops in Philadelphia and Portland shows he's just a guy. There is no upside remaining.
But a second-rounder has upside, despite the NBA's penchant for exiling them to the G League, known more for Gatorade than greatness. The Wiz could have taken Kansas guard Frank Mason or Iowa State's guard Monte Morris with hopes of more than a few points per game. Maybe Frazier is better ready for this season, but the long term might have favored an incoming rookie.
The Wiz now have no draft options and plenty more roster spots to fill. Last season's downside was caused by perhaps the NBA's worst bench. Now the Wiz are rightfully clearing room for newcomers, but steady turnover is not how champions are built.
Oh, there's plenty of talk of trading for Indiana's Paul George. Actually, the Wiz have a better chance of getting Paul, George, Ringo and John than Paul George. Washington has no draft picks to offer the Pacers, but a popular scenario has the Wiz trading Otto Porter.
Now George is better than Porter, but not enough to justify what would be a one-year rental given George wants to play for his hometown Lakers in 2018. Maybe the Wiz could squeeze that one season into a title, but not without a better bench for starters.
Washington is back to its 1980s conundrum of being good, but not good enough to seriously contend, and lacking top draft picks to get better. They were stuck in so-so purgatory for years until finally collapsing for much of the next two decades.
The Wiz now face another season of relying heavily on Bradley Beal and Wall while hoping the bench doesn't lose games. Maybe Frazier will make a difference.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter @Snide_Remarks.]]>
Winners also will be able to pick up a limited edition K Street card and a K Street section T-shirt.
Nationals tickets are on sale now.
Courtesy of The Washington Nationals]]>
News outlets report that David Grosso (I-At Large) proposed legislation Tuesday that would legally change the names of elected leaders to state equivalents and rename the District of Columbia as "Douglass Commonwealth." Mayor Muriel Bowser would be called "governor," and Grosso and his peers would become "representatives" in the "legislative assembly."
Grosso says the change is symbolic, but erases the perception that the capital with a population of nearly 700,000 is merely a city, instead of an entity that also executes the functions of a state and county. Washington voters approved a referendum last November to petition Congress for statehood, although leaders say chances are low under a Republican-controlled government.
Grosso's bill has picked up five council supporters.
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Nate Schmidt, a 25-year-old defenseman coming off a pair of quality seasons for Washington, has been drafted by the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL expansion draft, per multiple reports.
Schmidt scored eight goals and notched 35 assists in his four seasons with the Capitals, which covered exactly 200 games, including three goals and 14 assists last season. He was a career-high plus-22 on the ice in 2016-17, and he finishes his time in Washington with a net plus-36. He added 172 blocks and 216 hits over his four seasons.
He finished sixth on the Capitals in plus/minus last season — fourth among defensemen.
Washington will now be hard-pressed to fill his role, as Schmidt was expected to take on a workload this coming season.
Follow Bryan Frantz and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter]]>
The price for the 52nd overall pick in Thursday's draft? Guard Tim Frazier, previously of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Frazier, who turns 27 in November, will serve as John Wall's backup next season. He averaged 7.1 points and 5.2 assists per game for the Pelicans last year, starting 35 games and playing 65. Having also played with the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, Frazier has averaged basically six points, four assists and two rebounds per game over three NBA seasons.
The Wizards are now left without a draft pick for the second year in a row. They added Kelly Oubre in a draft-night trade in 2015, but otherwise the last player to be drafted by Washington to actually play for the Wizards was Otto Porter, in 2013.
Frazier, meanwhile, becomes the latest journeyman point guard to attempt to fill the backup spot in Washington. Trey Burke, Brandon Jennings, Ramon Sessions, Andre Miller, Will Bynum and others have all held that role in the past few seasons, and Tomas Satoransky — the most recent second-round pick by the Wizards to play for the Wizards, despite being drafted five years ago — spent some time in the role last year.
At 6-foot-1, Frazier is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $2 million this coming season. He will then be an unrestricted free agent, and Grunfeld will be forced to find his replacement or give him a significant raise.
Meanwhile, the Wizards will again fail to bring in any homegrown young talent. While the core of Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter (and to a lesser extent, Satoransky and Kelly Oubre) remains quite young, the rest of the team is not.
Perhaps Grunfeld will resort to the tactic he employed a year ago, when he signed three undrafted rookies — Danuel House, Daniel Ochefu and Sheldon McClellan (now Mac) — but that strategy proved to have minimal effect as the three players combined to play fewer than 400 total minutes all year.
Regardless, it looks as though the franchise will have trouble stocking its new G-league team in the coming years.
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The Nationals right-hander was pulled from his last start after only two and two-thirds innings Monday after allowing six runs against the Marlins. On the season, he's now 6-4 with a 4.88 ERA through 15 starts.
Despite these struggles, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo insists Roark is healthy and merely struggling with command issues. That was the topic of the Burke & Herbert Bank Fan Question of the Week during Rizzo's appearance with The Sports Junkies Wednesday morning.
What issues are you seeing with Tanner Roark right now? How can he get back on track? — Dan in Wheaton
"Location," Rizzo replied. "He's just got to pound the strike zone like he always has, and just be consistent with his location, keep the ball down, get that two-seamer to run back on those left-handed hitters and to hit that outside corner against right-handed hitters."
"As long as Tanner says that he's healthy — and he says he feels really, really good — I'm fine with it," he said.
"We've got no issues with Tanner Roark. He's going to be great like he always has been, and I feel good about him coming back in the second half and really finishing strong for us this season and going forward. The way he competes, he gets after it, and he's a good self- evaluator and he knows what he needs to do. He minces no words when he has a poor performance."
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Unfortunately, it was broken up by A.J. Ellis on a fluky infield hit, the start of two-run rally by the Marlins to beat the Nationals 2-1.
Scherzer allowed two hits and one walk in all, and finished his day with 11 strikeouts over eight innings pitched. It was his sixth-straight game throwing 10-plus strikeouts, which ties Pedro Martinez (1997) for a franchise record.
Bummer of an ending to what was otherwise a gem pitched by Scherzer.
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WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards are finally getting a G League team.
The Wizards acquired the rights to the G League's 27th team (formerly known as the NBA Development League), which will debut in the 2018-19 season at the Wizards' new practice facility, currently being built in the District's Ward 8, the former site of St. Elizabeths Hospital.
Currently, 26 franchises operate G League teams that will be playing in the 2017-18 season.
"The NBA G League has been a great resource for us over the years, both for calling up talent and for allowing young players on our roster to gain more on-court experience," said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. "Having our own team, selecting the front office and coaching staff and being able to implement our system will allow us to further enhance our player and staff development program moving forward."
The Wizards have called up a total of 17 players, the most notable being Garrett Temple (Reno Bighorns, 2012-13), since the G League's inception in 2001. Season-tickets memberships for the inaugural season are on sale now and can be secured with a $25-per-seat deposit.
The name of the team has yet to be announced.
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The Travelers Championship, after a year in which the schedule was rearranged to accommodate the Olympics, has been returned to its customary slot after the U.S. Open. It welcomes one of its strongest fields in memory, with a $6.8 million purse on the line.
Five of the top 15 players in the world are coming to TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, just 10 minutes south of Hartford, along with six players who finished inside the top 10 in last week's U.S. Open at Erin Hills outside Milwaukee. That group includes Brian Harman, who tied for second, and world No. 12 Justin Thomas, who tied for ninth. The others: Xander Schauffele (T5), Charley Hoffman (8), Trey Mullinax (T9) and Brandt Snedeker (T9).
In the top-15 crowd are major winners Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, No. 2 and No. 6, respectively, in the world rankings. Each is making his debut at TPC River Highlands. It will be just McIlroy's eighth start of the year after battling a rib injury.
Also coming is No. 3 Jason Day, another major winner, who like McIlroy missed the cut last week at Erin Hills. In his two previous appearances, Day has posted five rounds of 67 or better.
TPC River Highlands, a par-70 layout measuring 6,841 yards, is one of the toughest little courses on the PGA TOUR. Its reputation remains intact even though Jim Furyk impressively shot 58 there last year.
CBS Sports golf analyst Frank Nobilo provides his insights on the tournament's potential storylines.
What is the one thing you like the most about TPC River Highlands?
It's one of those courses where you can run the tables if you play well. We saw that with Jim Furyk. But you do have to play well. If you do, then you're going to get 10-12 decent birdie looks, and maybe that can help you build some confidence. But the great thing is it doesn't dictate one style of play.
>>MORE: Favorite Course: TPC River Highlands
Is there an adjustment for the crowd who just played 72 holes on the longest U.S. Open course in history, almost 1,000 yards longer than TPC River Highlands?
It certainly gives the players a chance after getting beat up at U.S. Open. But there's not really much adjustment as far as playing. They have to pay attention to a few key holes. And you have to keep your nose clean on those closing holes. This is a great breather for everyone after a tough week, but they still have to hit shots.
Five of the top 15 in the world are competing this week, including No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Jason Day, both winless this year. Day, in particular, has played well here in the past, while McIlroy is making his first start. Good chance to pick off a win?
I think so. They can take a page out of Bubba Watson's book. Play smart, use your power when you need to, give yourself looks for birdies. If they get the putter going, they're going to be in position there at the end.
>>MORE: Golf Expert Interviews
Speaking of shutouts, Bubba Watson has won here twice, but is also seeking a victory after a long drought. Why does he do well on this short course?
It's no surprise to me that he has played well there. If he wins one more, he's one behind Billy Casper. His ability to shape it around there, but also use his power when he needs it, is a huge advantage. Bubba obviously has a game plan figured out, and he's very creative with his shot selection. It's actually a great golf course for him to use all his abilities.
What can we expect this week from Jim Furyk?
When you speak about that, you think of where scoring has been going. We've had three sub-60s in less than 12 months. In the last few years, every major scoring record has been broken. Remember, Patrick Cantlay shot 60 as an amateur there, too. As for Jim Furyk, what he did last year will be the furthest thing from his mind. The goal for him would be to shoot mid-60s and then maybe you get more opportunities that make you think you might go lower. He'll be prepared, and he knows if he wants to win, he has to have a better start than he made last year.
Give us your favorites and dark horses please.
Marc Leishman has played well there, 43 under par the last five years. We know what Rory and Jason are capable of. I expect Bubba Watson to play well as always. I'm curious to see how those top guys do. Chris Stroud is someone to watch; he's 41 under par there the last five years. Brendan Steele has done pretty well around there, makes a lot of birdies. And it's a good course for Patrick Reed, too.
Journalist and author David Shedloski of Columbus, Ohio, has been covering golf since 1986, first as a daily newspaper reporter and later as a freelance writer for various magazines and Internet outlets. A winner of 23 national writing awards, including 20 for golf coverage, Shedloski is currently a contributing writer for Golf World and GolfDigest.com and serves as editorial director for The Memorial, the official magazine of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. He is the author of three books and has contributed to three others, including the second edition of "Golf For Dummies," with Gary McCord. He's a fan of all Cleveland professional sports teams, the poor fellow.]]>
Today, we hear from Gonzaga freshman Zach Collins. Collins was a four-star recruit and McDonald's All-American out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas before joining the 'Zags this past year and helping lead them to an appearance in the national championship game. Thanks to his play in that run to the title game, Collins began shooting up draft boards and decided to forgo his remaining three years of eligibility to enter this year's draft. He spoke to us about that decision and his goals for his NBA career.
I always enjoyed watching basketball on television when I was younger and whenever I got a toy basketball hoop or a basketball I wanted to immediately go and play, so I've loved the game from an early age. I played other sports too growing up, but basketball was the one I always felt the most strongly about. I remember one time I was playing baseball, and I had just gotten done with a game, my dad told me that I had just gotten a call to come and play basketball for a club team. I remember to this day how excited I felt and I just didn't feel that way about any other sport that I played. I knew in that moment, right around the fifth grade, that basketball was the sport that I wanted to play going forward.
It wasn't really until my junior year of high school when I realized that I could maybe carve out a career for myself playing basketball. It was around then when I thought that if I kept growing and getting better that maybe it would be a possibility for me to one day play in the NBA. But, I didn't even know until middle school that college basketball would even be an option. For me, it wasn't a planned thing from when I was a little kid to play in the NBA. I just enjoyed playing the game, had fun playing it and my goal was always just to keep getting better.
In high school, I didn't start until my senior year because we had both Stephen Zimmerman (now with the Orlando Magic) and Chase Jeter (now with Duke) on the roster with me. Going against both of those guys in practice every day helped me a lot. I took every practice like it was a game because I wasn't getting into the actual games a lot. I would just try to go at those guys every day. Even when I was getting beat and they were dunking on me or whatever, I would just keep going at them. At the time, it was tough for me confidence-wise because I wasn't always getting the better of them, but I tell people all the time that if I could do it all over again, I would do it the exact same way.
The reason I chose to play at Gonzaga is because the coach that recruited me, Brian Michaelson, started recruiting me during my sophomore year of high school taking notice of me when no one else really was. The fact that they stuck with me from then on really showed me that I could trust them. I took a couple of unofficial visits and I saw the campus and I saw that it was a completely crazy basketball school, but also a smaller school in terms of number of students, I liked that. When I met Coach Few I knew that he was going to be a good coach for me.
In terms of the basketball fit, the way that they play was perfect for me. They use their bigs a ton and they win. It's not a program that's been in a rebuilding stage in a long, long time. They just keep winning, so that was very attractive.
This past season, I think I realized that we had something special going when we were rolling through the season undefeated and had beaten St. Mary's a couple of times. Even though our conference is known for not being as good as some of the big ones around the country, we were getting wins against St. Mary's and they were a Top 25 team all year. They were a team that had given Gonzaga trouble in the past, but we were able to handle them by a pretty good margin and that showed me we had a pretty good thing going. Obviously our conference wasn't always the strongest, but the way we were winning, the way we were playing our style of basketball, how locked in this team was every single game, I knew that would help a lot in the tournament. I knew because of that, we'd have a chance to go as far as we did.
It was never part of the plan for me to spend just one year in college, but it was never out of the plan either. When I went to college, it was never thinking I'm going for one year and then jumping to the NBA. For me, it was just win, get better, grow as a person and as a player and whenever I felt like I was ready, that's when I'd go. That just happened to be this year. It was never about being one-and-done or it's a failure for me.
As I look towards the NBA, I think my experience playing at Gonzaga gives me a little bit of a head start because our offense had so many NBA-type elements in it. We ran a ton of pick-and-rolls, dribble hand-offs, down screens, flare screens and a bunch of pick-and-pops. In the NBA, I think like 90 percent of the offense is pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop, so that experience definitely helps. Obviously it's a different game, the NBA's faster and guys are stronger, so I still have to get used to that.
The biggest thing I'm working on as I prepare for the league is my strength and conditioning. The guys in the league are definitely stronger and it's a faster paced game, so I want to make sure that I'm not tired on the court. I'm also working on ball-handling and shooting, really extending my range out to the NBA three point line. That was a tough transition at first, because I think with jump shots a foot or a foot-and-a-half difference can make a big difference. The longer three point line was definitely tough at first, it took me a couple of days to get used to it, but now I'm definitely comfortable with it. Now, I'm just focused on getting ready to play against men.
The two players that I've really tried to model my game after are Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki. With Dirk, I liked the multiple ways that he can score with his jumpshot and length even though he wasn't the strongest guy on the court, he still got to whatever shot he wanted. Tim Duncan was the same way. His multiple moves on the block and the way that he could get to whatever shot he wanted I really tried to emulate. Neither guy was ever the strongest or most athletic guy on the floor, but they are so smart in the way that they get to their shots. That's something I'm really trying to emulate as I go to the NBA.
The coolest part of the NBA Draft process for me was really just being able to get up and go play basketball every day. I didn't have too many interviews to go to so being able to just worry about basketball every day was great. Getting the chance to meet with teams at the NBA Combine was pretty cool too as I got to show them what I'm about while also figuring out what they're about too. The meetings were definitely a little nerve-wracking since I was meeting with GMs that could be in charge of my future was nerve-wracking, but cool at the same time.
I've set my goals pretty high for myself heading into the NBA. I think there's no reason why I can't be the rookie of the year, there's no reason I can't get the team I'm drafted by to the playoffs, I have really high goals for myself. I want to be in the Hall of Fame when all is said and done, I want to be an All-Star, I want to win championships. I definitely don't want to be that guy that gets to the NBA and is content with getting there. I want to make a statement when I get there.]]>
Summer has arrived and there is no time to waste when planning your next vacation. For something new and different, why not try visiting a destination that's steeped in American history? Some are fairly obvious, such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. For a different and broader perspective, here are five of the best American history vacation spots in five different sections of the country.
Green Bay
With a history as a trading post that dates all the way back to 1634, Green Bay is the oldest settlement in Wisconsin and among the oldest in the Midwest. Located along the western shores of Lake Michigan, Wisconsin's third largest city was once a part of New France during the pre-colonial period, which covered a large swath of the Midwest and as far south as Louisiana and as far east as Newfoundland. Today, the city is best known as the home of the 13-time world champion Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), the third oldest franchise and America's only professional sports team that operates as a non-profit and is owned by its faithful legion of fans; often affectionately referred to as Cheeseheads. The Packers' Lambeau Field is one of the world's most revered sports venues and easily the city's top attraction for visitors, in addition to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Hinterland Brewery in the new Titletown District and the must see Packers Heritage Trail, which connects many of the city's historic sites. Green Bay also has a wealth of other historical attractions to consider, such as Heritage Hill State Historical Park, a 48-acre site with over 25 historical attractions, Neville Public Museum, Oneida Nation Museum, historic Meyer Theatre and Bay Beach Amusement Park, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Recommended lodging in Green Bay includes the historic Hotel Northland, as well as more modernized hotels like Hyatt Regency Green Bay, the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay and the fabulous new Lodge Kohler, opening in July.
Related: 7 Most Photogenic Cities In The US
Founded in 1636 by political and religious leader Roger Williams, Providence is among the oldest cities in America and the most important settlement of the colony of Rhode Island, a member of the original 13 Colonies. Situated along its namesake, Providence River, at the head of the breathtaking Narragansett Bay, Providence has long been a vital seaport in the Northeast and its bay waters were the setting for the Gaspee Affair, one of the earliest conflicts that led to the Revolutionary War in 1772, an event that's also known as Rhode Island's own Tea Party. Although much of the oldest portion of the city has been rebuilt due to storm damage and historic floods, the city that calls itself the "Creative Capital" still possesses several buildings of historical and cultural significance. This includes the First Baptist Church in America established in 1638, Providence Arcade, the oldest indoor shopping mall in the country, Providence Athenaeum, America's fourth oldest library and Brown University, America's seventh oldest institution of higher education and one of the eight prestigious Ivy League institutions. Other notable attractions include a tour of the city's riverfront with Providence Riverboat Company, the magnificent City Hall building, Old State House, Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum and Roger Williams Park, featuring one of the oldest zoos in the country. Among the notable places to stay in Rhode Island's capital city include Hilton Providence, Dean Hotel and the historic Biltmore Hotel, a member of the Historic Hotels of America.
San Francisco
World renowned for its iconic suspension bridge, a crooked street and cable cars climbing halfway to the stars, San Francisco has made a very rich contribution to American history. Founded as a Spanish mission just days before the Declaration of Independence, this historic seaport city grew rapidly after the discovery of gold in 1848 to become the largest city west of the Mississippi and remained so until it was surpassed by Los Angeles in the 1920s. More than 200 years later, several prominent structures still remain from its early days, like the Spanish Mission Dolores founded in 1776, the city's oldest building, the 1776 Presidio of San Francisco, Old Saint Mary's Cathedral, Lotta's Fountain and the Civil War-era military installations at Fort Mason and Fort Point. Many of the City by the Bay's best known attractions are also historically relevant, such as the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, featuring a blend of family-owned restaurants and contemporary establishments like the new China Live, the world's most photographed bridge – the Golden Gate Bridge – and the infamous former federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island, whose notorious inmates included Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Mickey Cohen and the Birdman of Alcatraz. For historical accommodations, visitors can stay at surviving structures of the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, such as the Palace Hotel, Hotel Majestic and the Fairmont San Francisco. Other prominent options located in the Fisherman's Wharf area include the Argonaut Hotel, housed within a building built in 1907 and Fairmont Heritage Place, in addition to modernized choices nearby like Hotel Zephyr and Hotel Vitale.
Santa Fe
Founded in 1610, Santa Fe is America's oldest state capital, the highest in elevation and the oldest European-established community west of the Mississippi. Universally acclaimed for its distinctive Spanish Pueblo and Territorial architectural styles, Santa Fe retains its 400-year history through landmarks like San Miguel Chapel, the oldest church in the U.S., and Palace of the Governors, the country's oldest continuously occupied public building. In the 19th century, the capital city played a vital role in the expansion of the American Southwest, in part due to the opening of the legendary trade route, the Santa Fe Trail in 1821 and decades later, the emergence of the railroad into New Mexico. Within a few years, the City Different constructed several more notable structures, like Loretto Chapel, best known for its Miraculous Staircase in 1878 and Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in 1886. Important events in American history continued to follow in the 20th century, such as the development of Santa Fe's art community, a Japanese-American internment camp erected during World War II and the testing of the first atomic bomb at the Los Alamos Laboratory, located near historic Bandelier National Monument. In addition to its wealth of historical sites, what makes Santa Fe such an exceptional destination is its world-class culinary and arts scene, impressive collection of amazing hotels and a growing number of world-class attractions, including Canyon Road, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, New Mexico Museum of Art, the stunning Santa Fe Opera and the cutting edge art experiences at Meow Wolf.
Founded in 1632, Williamsburg served as the capital of the Virginia Colony when the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776. Situated upon the picturesque Virginia Peninsula in southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is one of the three colonial communities that form the Historic Triangle, along with the equally important settlements of Jamestown and Yorktown. Today, the colonial section of Williamsburg is known as the "world's largest history museum", with 173 acres beautifully restored to its original 18th century elegance, townspeople dressed in the fashion of its day and family-friendly activities like guided tours and historical reenactments. Among other popular activities in the Williamsburg area are breathtaking tours of Berkeley Plantation, Shirley Plantation and Westover Plantation, Virginia wine tasting at Upper Shirley Vineyards and Williamsburg Winery, golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, cooking demos with Chef Travis Brust at Taste Studio, bike touring with Basket & Bike, Segway excursions with Patriot Tours & Provisions and libations at Copper Fox and Silver Hand Meadery. For suggested lodging, try staying at the stunning, five-star Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge or the superb Wedmore Place, located at Williamsburg Winery. No trip to Williamsburg would be complete without visiting the other two settlements of the Historic Triangle – Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement of the Americas established in 1607 and Yorktown, the historic site for the surrender of General Cornwallis and his British troops in 1781.
Related: The Historian's Guide To New England]]>
If he plays well this year, he could get tagged again next year, either with another franchise tag or another transition tag, which would give him more than $50 million guaranteed over these two seasons.
That's a reasonable starting point for long-term negotiations, which puts Cousins in historic territory over a long-term deal. Despite that, three well-respected NFL insiders believe that a deal is closer to getting done than it has in any recent offseasons.
Adam Schefter was the first to weigh in two weeks ago, reporting that "there has been an improved, encouraging tone in the contract talks" between the two sides. He was first to report that team owner Daniel Snyder has gotten involved with negotiations.
Jason La Canfora was even more bullish on the state of negotiations, saying this week that the chances of getting a deal done were nearly 80 percent.
"That's one more face-to-face meeting than a lot of people would have at this point," La Canfora told Chad Dukes from 106.7 The Fan about reports of a meeting between team President Bruce Allen and Cousins' agent.
"I'm sure for Redskins fans, this feels like it's been going on forever. But the reality is, deals of this magnitude, when they do get done, by and large, it's usually right at the deadline," La Canfora explained. "But none of those guys was going to be getting a 'best of breed' contract. I'm not saying Cousins will either, but the money is certainly going to be significantly more.
"There's still a lot of time before that deadline and the fact that there even has been a modicum of momentum this offseason speaks to the underlying reality…that a deal behooves all of these guys.
"The time to get a deal done is July 15th, 16th and 17th, and I believe common sense will prevail."
On Tuesday, Albert Breer offered dual confirmation that a deal was headed in the right direction.
"I'm a lot more optimistic than I was last year at this time. I'll put it that way," Breer said bluntly. "I would say that people there have a reason to feel better than they would have on June 20th of last year."
But that doesn't mean there aren't major mountains to climb from here.
"Here's the hard part of it: it's what you're asking Kirk to pass up. It's what you're asking Kirk to walk away from," Breer explained. "Kirk would be walking away from a lot if you asked him to do a long-term deal with the Redskins."
Only 26 days left until the deadline.
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Nationals Park is located on the Green line's Navy Yard-Ballpark Metrorail stop and provides reliable service if the games start on time, don't have a rain delay, and don't go to extra innings. If they do, the team has had the option of keeping the doors open for its fans at the cost of approximately $30,000 per hour, a number that gets offset and refunded by the cost of rider fares.
In years past, the team has very publicly declined to pay that amount, instead relying on such sponsorship partners as Living Social and American University to foot the bill.
With huge changes to Metro's hours and service in the last year, the mystery over whether or not the Nationals will play nice with Metro during the season and possible postseason is solved early this year: almost certainly not.
According to a letter from Lynn Bowersox, Metro's assistant general manager, to WAMU (via the Washington Business Journal), Metro "can consider up to 10 events of extended system hours over the next year."
If the Nationals make it to the postseason, they could play as many as 10 and as few as two home games. However, even if they did choose to pay, it would cost a much heftier price this time around.
To qualify, event organizers would have to make a $100,000 deposit for each additional hour the rail system would stay open, as well as cover the costs associated with extending its service, according to the WAMU report.
The request would also have to be made well enough in advance to ensure planned track work can be rescheduled.
This year, Metro made such an exception for Inauguration weekend but chose not to open early for other events, such as the Marine Corps Marathon, as it had in past years.
Even if the Nationals wanted to pay to keep Metro open–which they haven't–the erratic schedule of the postseason likely would not allow it to be scheduled in advance. That means Nats fans can start planning for alternate postseason transit now if they aren't afraid of jinxes.
Metro's new hours will begin on June 25, with the following hours of service:
Monday: 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Thursday: 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Friday: 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Additionally, for most Metrorail customers, fares will increase by 10-25 cents. A new one-day unlimited rail/bus pass will be available for $14.75. Regular Metrobus fares will rise to $2, a 25 cent increase from $1.75.
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This is the sports June swoon.
But regardless of whether you believe players should work out with teammates or enjoy the voluntary aspect of the offseason, Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams is an interesting case study.
On CSN Mid-Atlantic's Redskins Nation, Williams addressed the topic with the theory that skipping the voluntary workouts will make him a better player.
"It's kind of tough because you're away from your teammates and you don't really get to be there when you welcome all of the new people onto the team or whatnot," he explained. "But it's one of those things that you've got to realize that the best version of me is what's best for the team.
"So if what I do down there continues to propel me to be a better me, then I've got to do what I've got to do because, at the end of the day, the team benefits from it."
Depending on how you already felt, this will sound like a rational perspective or just excuses.
Williams plays in a position group that values working in a unit over individual effort. He has always been better than his teammates, and that hasn't always helped the team win.
Williams is one of the team captains on offense and has been for years, repeatedly talking about the importance of leading by example. Just last year, he flew his fellow linemen to Houston to work out with him before training camp, a tradition he may repeat this season.
Perhaps Williams wants to lead by example by showing teammates what he can do on his own.
"I know that working out at my place in Houston, I can work out for three or four hours and just get lost in the gym. Here, you've got to search for the right timeframe for everybody," Williams explained. "Coaches have got to be hands-off and everybody's got to be out of the building. The work that you put in on a personal level is a little bit more extensive than what you can do as a group, being that not everybody is at the same conditioning level when they come in.
"I can be as aggressive as I want. I just push myself until I have to be back [here in Ashburn]. Then I take another five weeks and push myself. Then when I come into camp, just try and be in the ultimate shape."
Taking this logic to the extreme, it's hard to believe that if everyone skipped voluntary team workouts and hit the gym that the team would be better for it. Then again, maybe Williams is right — only time will tell.
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With millions of dollars at stake and, still, no end in sight, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred summarized the dispute with one word: "intractable."
Manfred, speaking to 106.7 The Fan's Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier in Washington, D.C., was asked to explain the complicated legal dispute on Tuesday.
"It has been a very difficult dispute to get resolved," Manfred said. "I have made numerous attempts myself to try to get to a resolution and have reluctantly come to the conclusion that there's going to have to be some decision by the state court in New York before anything is going to move, in terms of either a resolution by lawsuit or a negotiated resolution."
"I hate to admit that," he said. "I really do, because I think it would be good for both clubs to get this put behind them. It really has been an unfortunately long dispute."
Manfred then offered additional background on the origins of the complicated agreement.
"When Washington was awarded the franchise, that franchise was moving into a territory that belonged to Baltimore," Manfred explained. "The way that [former] Commissioner [Bud] Selig resolved the compensation issues that ordinarily take place in that situation is he structured this RSN (regional sports network), MASN, that was going to hold the rights for both the Nationals and the Orioles."
"So far, so good — the first five years were actually okay," he said. "They had a set rights fee that was negotiated. The Nationals knew what that rights fee was when they bought the club.
"After the first five years, because that market is fluid, it changes — it, in recent years, thank God, has escalated dramatically — the arrangement was they were supposed to negotiate a new rights fee; or, if they could not, a committee of owners of other clubs would resolve that dispute."
"They would pick a rights fee that was to be paid by MASN. That happened. They picked a rights fee. The Nationals were satisfied with that outcome," he said. "Unfortunately, MASN and the Orioles were not — they thought the number was too high and they brought a lawsuit against baseball, because it's our committee and the Nationals, trying to avoid paying the amount that that committee determined was due in owing."
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Washington Redskins assistant strength and conditioning coach Deuce Gruden does more than teach players the correct weightlifting techniques and put together strength programs to get them through the season. He is a world champion power lifter in his own right. The 23-year-old is coach Jay Gruden's nephew and the son of legendary coach Jon Gruden (his actual name is Jon Gruden II). He measures in at 5'5″ and 183 pounds and his weightlifting stats are pretty impressive.
According to an interview that Gruden did with TMZ Sports, he can squat 622 pounds. That's impressive. More impressive, was his performance at the World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Belarus, where he won gold in the junior division for his weight class (83 kg). In case you don't have the time to click over to see what his lifts were, he squatted 600 pounds, bench pressed 418, and dead lifted 638.
Gruden routinely posts workout videos to his Instagram page, here's just a small sampling of a couple from the past few weeks. First, him setting a new personal record in the bench press.
Then, there's him squatting 550 pounds for multiple reps on what was, according to the caption, his fifth set.
Finally, he posted a pic of him on the medal stand at the championships.
Oh, and, even at 5'5″ he looks huge compared to some NFL players.
One of the biggest trends of the summer is black/white and navy/white stripes everywhere. Think striped dresses, t-shirts, shorts, you name it. Draw inspiration from the American Flag by adding stripes to your outfit as a statement. Stripes can be worn for a casual daytime look, or even dressed up for a more formal nighttime fireworks viewing party. Ladies, try pairing a striped skirt with red sandals for an understated patriotic look. Men, keep it simple with a striped t-shirt paired with your bottom of choice.
All White Everything
Memorial Day is behind us, which only means one thing—white jeans season is in full swing. Since white is practically the color of summer, go all out this July 4th. For a simple day look, both men and women can pair white jeans with a crisp white button-down. For men, go for a shirt with oxford fabric to keep cool and minimize fuss (breathable and machine-washable!). For a more patriotic look, accessorize with all things red and blue, like a red statement belt or navy blue boat shoes. Just be extra cautious of ketchup and watermelon drips!
Get Festive With A Loud Star Print
When executed correctly, a star print can be an amazing addition to any outfit to pay homage to our great star-spangled banner. Keep it simple, however—only choose one article of clothing to wear as a print, otherwise you may become a walking headache to the other BBQ-goers. Think of your selected star piece as the statement and center of the outfit, and style simplistically around it. You can easily find stars printed on anything—tees, jeans, or sneakers to name a few options. Wearing star print is a great way to express your festive side, while still remaining chic and stylish. Bonus points if the print is red, white, or blue.
Red, White, And Denim Blue
Let's face it—with 4th of July spirit everywhere you look in the weeks leading up to the day, there is an immediate response to dress head-to-toe in red, white, and blue. The decision to take this route can swiftly transform from trendy to cheesy, but it is easier than you think to stick to the former. A staple in anyone's wardrobe is a great denim piece—jeans, shorts, and chambray tops, to name a few. When dressing in America's colors, utilize the denim in your closet to be the 'blue' base, then style in red and white to complement the denim blue. Women can easily throw a denim chambray over a white dress, and wear a pair of red statement earrings to look modestly patriotic. For men, rock your favorite denim jeans with white Chucks and a red shirt for a clean yet festive outfit.
Sydney Cantor is a Content Intern at CBS Local.]]>
Today, we hear from SMU senior guard Sterling Brown. Brown spent all four seasons with the Mustangs and improved each season posting a career high 13.4 PPG 6.5 RPG and 3.0 APG this past season as a senior in helping to lead the Mustangs to the NCAA Tournament. His older brother, Shannon Brown is an NBA veteran and Sterling discussed his battles with his older brother, the advice he had for him in this draft process and more as he gets ready for the draft.
We have a basketball family. My father played in college and of course Shannon played in the NBA, so just being around the game all the time growing up and watching those two really got me into playing basketball. My battles with my older brother growing up were good battles to me because he never took it easy on me. I still haven't beaten him to this day. But, I always gave it my all and I got better with every game that I played against him. It's still a challenge for me and I look forward to getting that first win under my belt.
I knew that I was going to be making this journey to the NBA when I was young because I looked at my brother and watched him do it at the highest level and that's something that motivated me to want to get to the same place. I've wanted to get to the NBA since I saw him start playing in the league. I knew I just had to keep putting in the work and I knew that I was going to make it happen.
The reason I decided to go to SMU was to play for coach Larry Brown. I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that to play for a legend. He reached the top at both levels and I felt like it was a great opportunity for me. There are a lot of connections for me in the city of Dallas, I have family down there, so I felt like it was a good fit for me.
I learned a lot from Coach Brown, he put me in the position that I'm in right now. He taught the NBA game at the college level. A lot of our sets and plays were pro-style and I felt like that give me quite an edge when it came to preparing to play in the NBA one day.
This past year, getting back to the NCAA Tournament after not being able to play in it in 2015-16 due to NCAA sanctions felt great. The group of guys that we had, we stuck together and worked our butts off every day for the last two years during the summer and it felt great to see that hard work pay off with a trip to the tournament. Our goal of course wasn't just to make it, but to make a run. Unfortunately, we didn't make it past that first game against USC, but it's something that I'm definitely proud of as I look back on my career there.
There are a lot of good memories from my time at SMU. We won the conference championship twice (2014-15 and 2016-17) and both times it came the year after we had a sanction or, we weren't able to get to the tournament. Both of those titles came after some adversity for our team which is why those two seasons are my best memories because we fought through that adversity and proved we were the best in the conference.
As I get ready for the NBA, I've been working on my body to make sure that it's in world-class shape, tightening up my handles and getting used to knocking down the NBA-range three. Those are just a couple of the things that I've been working on, but they're definitely a few areas I've been focused on as I go through this process.
I think I can fit in well at the NBA level because I can come in and knock down the three (45.1% at SMU) and play good defense. The defensive side of the ball is something that I've valued throughout my entire career and I feel like that's going to help me on the next level. That I think is the key for me in getting out on the floor for a team, playing good defense. If I do that, then I can show off my offensive game later on, but playing good defense is what will get me that shot at proving myself.
The whole process of getting ready for the draft has been cool for me. I've gotten to meet some of the legends of the game in going to team workouts. Whether it's Magic Johnson or Pat Riley and getting the chance to show them my skills and show them what I can do, it's all been really cool for me.
When it comes to my game, I try to pick up different aspects of various players' games and incorporate them into what I do. I don't model myself after any one player in particular but, I try and take bits and pieces from different guys' games and implement them into mine. I like Kawhi Leonard, the way he does it on both ends of the floor, Russell Westbrook, the motor that he's had. LeBron, how he gets all his teammates involved. KD with how he scores the ball. It's not just one person, it's the game of basketball that I love watching and trying to pick up different elements that I can add to my game.
I hope, as I get ready to start my pro career, that I can stay healthy, being able to play as much as I can. I feel like as I grow, I will be able to hopefully win a championship, that's the ultimate goal of mine. Outside of that, I hope that I can continue to grow as a player and be able to earn some of the individual accolades like 1st team All-NBA, appearing in the All-Star game. I feel like I can get to those levels if I just keep working. The sky's the limit for me, I've got a great work ethic, so once everything comes together and I get the opportunity, I'm definitely not going to take it for granted.]]>
But that's not the story right now. The story is these two remarkably different home runs hit by two remarkably different individuals on the Nationals: Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon.
First up, we have Harper. Harper, 24, is in his sixth major league season. He has 138 career home runs and is one of the most well-known baseball players of the past decade. He is outspoken, provocative and flamboyant, and he is never one to avoid the spotlight.
He hit this absolute rope in the first inning of Monday night's game.
That ball was as close to a line drive as a home run can get, as noted by Ryan Spaeder.
Following in Harper's footsteps is Anthony Rendon. Rendon, 27, is in his fifth MLB season and has 65 career home runs. (It's crazy to think that Harper is three years younger than Rendon is but has played one more season than Rendon has.)
Rendon is fairly quiet and reserved, he doesn't make a whole lot of headlines, and even though he had one of the best offensive days in baseball history this season, he has a considerably lower national profile than Harper does.
One inning after Harper's dart to right field, Rendon sent a ball to the moon. It eventually landed with some flamingos.
The personalities of the two players have nothing to do with the style of home runs they hit. But it's difficult to imagine two home runs being much more different and two teammates being much more different.
Baseball is a funny game.
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The season ended just a week ago, the draft is on Thursday and free agency begins on July 1, but hardly a day has passed that we haven't had some sort of drama — and we're not settling for petty stuff like LeBron James and Draymond Green exchanging barbs.
The Boston Celtics appear to have opened the floodgates by trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, who appear to be taking the next step in The Process. The Celtics now have an abundance of draft picks in the coming years the likes of which the NBA might have never before seen.
And now, things are really heating up.
Sunday evening, reports emerged that Indiana Pacers star Paul George had told the team he planned to leave town after this coming season, his last under contract. Immediately following that news, word got out that the Pacers were shopping the talented wing, trying to pick up some value for him before he leaves for nothing.
It seemed the next few days would be all about who would make the move for George, if one was completed. The rumors immediately led to the Cleveland Cavaliers, as expected, but other teams emerged.
And then, suddenly, the conversation swung to Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler, who was previously linked to George a year ago when both players were subject of trade rumors — each with the Celtics. Butler was quickly tied to the Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but reports also came out that both the Sixers and Celtics were potentially interested in making additional moves.
Whether those additional moves, if they come to being, concern George or Butler is unknown, but it seems foolish to discount the possibility.
With all of that madness — and there was plenty of additional talk that was exempted from this synopsis for the sake of brevity — it would have been easy to overlook this one subtle detail, coming from TNT's David Aldridge.
"Washington, to a lesser degree, could fit the bill, too, and the Wizards are looking for a way to make a George deal happen. They don't have a player of Love's caliber to put in a deal; they're not moving Bradley Beal after the 23-year-old just had his best NBA season. Playing alongside Washington's backcourt of Beal and John Wall, after all, would be the selling point for George in D.C.
Wizards small forward Otto Porter also had his best season and would almost certainly have to be in a potential George deal for it to make any sense for Indiana, but he's a restricted free agent and would lose tens of millions of dollars if he agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with anyone this summer (fewer years, smaller yearly raises) instead of re-signing with Washington. There's literally no incentive for anyone to do a sign-and-trade anymore, which was the point of changing the CBA — to make it easier rather than harder for teams to keep their own players."
Aldridge, who resides in D.C., transitions from the commonly-reported reprise of the Cavaliers pursuing Paul George to — what's this? — the Wizards are looking into a blockbuster deal of their own?
As Aldridge notes, this deal seems unlikely to happen given Washington's very limited collection of assets. The only two truly high-end pieces right now are John Wall and Bradley Beal; Wall isn't going anywhere, and it would be tough to see the Wizards swapping Beal for George at all, especially if the latter doesn't agree to a contract extension before coming to Washington.
But a deal centered around Otto Porter makes sense, at least in theory. Porter, who just turned 24, is a restricted free agent. He is coming off something of a breakout season in which he averaged career highs in shooting from every area (2-pointers, 3-pointers and free throws), points, rebounds, blocks and minutes.
He is nowhere near Paul George's caliber, but Porter has improved consistently each season he's been in the league, and there are plenty of worse players to make part of a new, young core. It's also certainly possible to see him improve and expand his game on a team with less offensive talent than the Wizards have, though it's not easy going from John Wall as your setup man to whoever the Pacers have as their starting point guard next year.
Indiana would obviously want more than just Porter in a trade for one of the league's premier wings, but considering the leverage they appear to have lost by George's comments leaking out, perhaps their return won't be as great as some expect. Granted, Porter still won't suffice, but Porter and a future first-rounder or two might be enough.
That, of course, depends on how highly the Pacers value Porter, and what anybody else is willing to give up for George, who has reportedly declared a desire to join his hometown Los Angeles Lakers on several occasions. After all, whoever trades for George is, in theory, getting just one season of his talents.
Would the Wizards give up the possibility of building around Wall, Beal and Porter for the future in exchange for a year of George? You'd have to think so, especially considering the caliber of free agents they could potentially lure on discounts with that kind of talent assembled.
Joining Wall, Beal and Porter is a somewhat attractive prospect for a free agent. Joining Wall, Beal and George, however, is a far more appealing option, especially for a veteran who might only be looking for a one-year deal.
And if any team in the Eastern Conference can challenge LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, the team headed by John Wall, Bradley Beal and Paul George would have to be considered the favorite.
Follow Bryan Frantz and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter]]>
The Supreme Court on Monday declared names that may seem derogatory are still entitled to First Amendment protection when ruling in favor of The Slants' trademark challenge. The court said free speech protection is paramount.
While the Redskins weren't party to this case, their appeal of a 2014 ruling stripping the team of its trademark was on hold while The Slants' case was first resolved. Now, the Redskins enjoy similar protection.
So finally, a dispute dating back to 1992 is over. The Supreme Court is the final word. Nothing more to see here.
Dan Snyder Thrilled With SCOTUS Decision: 'HTTR!'
Wear your Redskins apparel knowing the highest court in the land has your back. That, while some people may view it as racist, the courts say free speech trumps all.
Guess who should sing the national anthem at a coming Redskins game?
This certainly doesn't silence those who view the name as wrong. They'll continue to educate and boycott and pressure sponsors to abandon the Redskins.
But opponents can no longer try to stop local governments from spending public money on attracting the Redskins' next stadium merely based on the name. Politicians can now safely say the team's name. After all, the Supreme Court says it's acceptable. That's the final word.
The Redskins won't lose royalties on merchandise, not that the money was a name-breaker in the end. Nor will they be pressured by other NFL team owners to change the name for fear of public backlash.
Washingtonians no longer need to be told by outsiders that they're ignorant racists. The Supreme Court backs free speech.
All of this said, the name debate can still continue without the hostility of litigation. Just because the court says it's right doesn't necessarily make it so.
Washington fans tired of this debate years ago after both sides dug in deeper than the Mariana Trench. Maybe the discussion can be less inflammatory now, if such a thing is possible in a world of social media nowadays. And perhaps we'll start listening to the opposition rather than waiting for a court ruling.
One day, maybe the public will decide the name should be changed. Then again, maybe not. But, at least that move will be the choice of the team and its fans and not lawmakers.
Until then, the Supreme Court says just because someone is offended doesn't mean a name must be changed. Free speech triumphs over political correctness.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter @Snide_Remarks.]]>
WASHINGTON — The Redskins' long-standing court case to regain its trademark protection earned a boost on Monday after a Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court upheld an earlier U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decision in favor of a rock band that had been denied a trademark for its name, which was deemed disparaging to others.
In that case, the Asian-American rock band "The Slants" were denied protection under a provision of the 1946 Lanham Trademark Act that prohibits trademarks that may "disparage….or bring into contemp[t] or disrepute" any persons "living or dead."
The Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in favor of the band. In his opinion, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote that the trademark denial violated the free speech clause of the First Amendment.
The Redskins lost their own trademark registration in 2014 when the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in a 2-1 decision that the team name was disparaging to Native Americans.
A U.S. District Court judge upheld that ruling in 2015. The Redskins are currently appealing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th circuit in Richmond and believe the Supreme Court decision Monday will allow them to prevail, too.
"The Team is thrilled with today's unanimous decision as it resolves the Redskins' long-standing dispute with the government," Redskins attorney Lisa Blatt wrote in a statement. "The Supreme Court vindicated the Team's position that the First Amendment blocks the government from denying or cancelling a trademark registration based on the government's opinion."
The Redskins filed an amicus brief supporting the Supreme Court case brought by The Slants. Without a registered trademark, the organization would have no defense against copycat entrepreneurs.
"I am THRILLED!" Redskins owner Dan Snyder wrote in a statement released by the team. "Hail to the Redskins."
Follow Redskins reporter Brian McNally on Twitter]]>
While promoting his new movie, "Transformers: The Last Knight," Mark Wahlberg stepped behind the camera to direct an impromptu remake of a scene from a 'Spice Girls' song.
Standing in front of the steps at London's St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, Wahlberg filmed Kevin McCarthy, and a group of fellow movie reviewers, recreating a dance scene from the Spice Girls' 1996 pop sensation 'Wannabe.'
That video, Retweed by Wahlberg to his 3.5 million Twitter followers, has since gone viral.
McCarthy explains the impetus for the impromptu scene in the video above.
Follow @ChrisLingebach and @1067TheFan on Twitter]]>
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks in a ruling that is expected to help the Washington Redskins in their legal fight over the team name.
The justices ruled that the 71-year-old trademark law barring disparaging terms infringes free speech rights.
The ruling is a victory for the Asian-American rock band called the Slants, but the case was closely watched for the impact it would have on the separate dispute involving the Washington football team.
Trademark Ruling Could Set Precedent for Redskins
Slants founder Simon Tam tried to trademark the band name in 2011, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the request on the ground that it disparages Asians. A federal appeals court in Washington later said the law barring offensive trademarks is unconstitutional.
The Redskins made similar arguments after the trademark office ruled in 2014 that the name offends American Indians and canceled the team's trademark. A federal appeals court in Richmond put the team's case on hold while waiting for the Supreme Court to rule in the Slants case.
Redskins Name Faces Watershed Moment
In his opinion for the court, Justice Samuel Alito rejected arguments that trademarks are government speech, not private speech. Alito also said trademarks are not immune from First Amendment protection as part of a government program or subsidy.
Tam insisted he was not trying to be offensive, but wanted to transform a derisive term into a statement of pride. The Redskins also contend their name honors American Indians, but the team has faced decades of legal challenges from Indian groups that say the name is racist.
Despite intense public pressure to change the name, Redskins owner Dan Snyder has refused, saying it "represents honor, respect and pride."
In the Slants case, government officials argued that the law did not infringe on free speech rights because the band was still free to use the name even without trademark protection. The same is true for the Redskins, but the team did not want to lose the legal protections that go along with a registered trademark. The protections include blocking the sale of counterfeit merchandise, and working to pursue a brand development strategy.
Snider: We'll NEVER change the name
A federal appeals court had sided with the Slants in 2015, saying First Amendment protects "even hurtful speech that harms members of oft-stigmatized communities."
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(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)]]>
The New York Yankees have been lamented by the media and MLB masses for being monetary marauders who flexed their wallets and poached your club's best players every winter. The Yankees, like the NBA's Golden State Warriors, were a mutation of a Super-team, the sports iteration of the IRS, impossible to root for.
Not really.
Once the Yankees morphed into monsters — branded by Larry Lucchino as the Evil Empire when they signed Jose Contreras in 2003 — they've won just one World Series title (2009). Every other year was a pricey epitaph about how the Yanks buy championships as we'd buy tomatoes, even if they never really did. They kept gilding a baseball lily, always more skilled at cash and cachet than victory.
Thus it was quite easy for baseball fans west of the Hudson to hate the Yankees. But at least in the '90s, it felt like they played on fair footing. Then, after Y2K, the Yanks became something grotesque, distorted beyond our old-school sensibilities. And though the business model certainly made money, it didn't work in October, which is the only metric that mattered to George Steinbrenner.
So as the Yankees choked on their own coin, doubling-down on the splurges that never worked, more adroitly designed clubs like the White Sox, Red Sox and Giants, won, many of them breaking biblical World Series droughts.
And now the Cubs, the eternally lovable losers, have finally turned the hex into a hoax, and forever ripped the saddle and symbolism off that darn goat. Through their GM and resident baseball savant, Theo Epstein, Chicago has done it the right way. It's quite a contrast for the Cubs, not the Yanks, to the win the World Series and enter the next season as the favorite to return to the Fall Classic.
>>MORE: Commentary from CBS Local Sports Voices
But as The Boss, the powerful, polarizing Steinbrenner, slowly lost his grip on the Yankee wheel, GM Brian Cashman slowly remolded the team into his likeness, and something more likable.
Gone were the addictive, 12-step spending sprees, with Cashman parachuting into your town and gutting your team. Jason Giambi. Mike Mussina. Mark Teixeira. A.J. Burnett. CC Sabathia. A-Rod. Their reach went well beyond our shores, of course. Contreras. Hideki Matsui. All great players, but too often pricey squares in round holes.
Now, the Yanks are coming back. Despite their recent, rugged road trip (six straight losses), they are still atop the AL East, and are doing it in a proper, respectable way, from the farm up. According to an exhaustive study by Bleacher Report, the Yankees entered 2017 with the most fertile farm system in the sport. Over 15 years, they hatched one star: Robinson Cano.
But with the cinematic entrance of Gary Sanchez last year, it seemed the Yanks finally had someone of their own, a Yankee from birth to death. Sanchez was someone they developed, upon whom they could hang their hats (and perhaps a few pennants). Then Aaron Judge rumbles in, the Bunyan-esque slugger who comically stretches his XXXL jerseys and whose mammoth fly balls have again made "tape measure" an essential part of baseball parlance.
Now that the Yankees are back to being the Bronx Bombers, it begs a couple questions.
Are the good Yankees good for baseball? We say no, but mean yes.
Can you earnestly and honestly hate these new Yankees? We say yes, but mean no.
Since 2002, you could toss a dart at a team photo and hit someone you hate — A-Rod or Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens. But which Bronx Bomber dons the black hat these days? Judge? Sanchez? Brett Gardner? Luis Severino? Aaron Hicks? Didi Gregorious?
Not even their pricey purchases are loathsome. Their most opulent foreign import, pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, is easily their worst starter this season. The only questionable — make that objectionable — signing was Aroldis Chapman, the smug, unrepentant relief pitcher who, wrapped in domestic violence allegations, never flashed the slightest contrition.
Other than Chapman, these Yankees are rather hard to hate. While Joe Girardi is not overly kind or candid with the media, he's earned his pinstripes, even before he became skipper. Girardi swatted the most celebrated triple in Yankees history — off Greg Maddux, no less — in Game 6 of the 1996 World Series, which propelled the Yankees to their first World Series title since the '70s and launched the Joe Torre era. That club, spawned by the Core Four and seasoned by key veterans, was the perfect hybrid of young and old, of energy and wisdom.
Maybe these Yankees aren't quite those Yankees, but this club is on the rise, and it just feels right — right on time and right on point — sans the Star Wars music and Darth Vader masks.
Surely the Yanks will do something impulsive and repulsive, like make it rain on Bryce Harper in 2019, crack open a suitcase filled with $450 million in cash and contracts. At their core, the Yankees are a business entity, an empire, equal parts great and grandiose. So they will find something financially grotesque soon enough. And you will despise them again.
For now, however, it's just hard to hate those Damn Yanks.
Jason writes a weekly column for CBS Local Sports. He is a native New Yorker, sans the elitist sensibilities, and believes there's a world west of the Hudson River. A Yankees devotee and Steelers groupie, he has been scouring the forest of fertile NYC sports sections since the 1970s. He has written over 500 columns for WFAN/CBS NY, and also worked as a freelance writer for Sports Illustrated and Newsday subsidiary amNew York. He made his bones as a boxing writer, occasionally covering fights in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, but mostly inside Madison Square Garden. Follow him on Twitter @JasonKeidel.]]>
HALETHORPE, Md. — The father of a Maryland sailor killed on a U.S. Naval destroyer says he's coming to grips with a new reality without his best friend and only son.
The Navy identified 24-year-old Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin of Halethorpe, Maryland, as one of the sailors killed when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off the Japanese coast Saturday. The sailors' bodies were later found inside the wreckage.
Darrold Martin tells WJZ-TV that his son followed in his footsteps and was quickly rising in the ranks. All he can think of are his son's final moments. He says his son was trying to call him, but didn't get through.
He says "It's very hard, he's my only child, he's all I have."
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(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)]]>
Today, we hear from Arkansas Razorbacks senior forward Moses Kingsley. Moses had an interesting path to get to this moment as he was born in Nigeria and moved to the US in 10th grade to pursue playing basketball and getting an education. Along the way, plenty of people helped him transition to life in the states and he discussed those stories and more when he spoke with us about his journey to the draft.
We played outside a lot back home in Nigeria when I was younger and my older brother came home from school one day and he told me that his friend thought it would be a good idea if I tried basketball, because I was getting taller than everybody else. The week after that, I went into town in Abuja with some of my friends and we were too shy to go to the courts because we saw all of the kids that were playing. We were too shy to go over there. So, we came back the week after that and just shot around a little bit.
I didn't have any basketball shoes at the time so I had to go to the market. My dad gave me some money and I ended up buying New Balance shoes. I didn't know what a basketball shoe was at the time, I thought that any shoe would work. When I went back to the court the next week, my coach looked at me like 'what is this?' I told him they were my basketball shoes and he responded with, 'those aren't basketball shoes, that's a running shoe.' I had to keep the shoes anyway, because in Nigeria it's not like over here where you have a receipt and you can just return the shoes. There, most of the shops, if you buy something and step outside the store, it's yours now. They won't take it back. So, I played with those shoes for like a year before my mom gave me some money to go buy basketball shoes.
It was so hard to find my size (14 at the time) because most people don't wear shoes that size and Nigeria isn't a basketball country where the sport is dominant. The main sport there is soccer and there's not a lot of people that require a shoe size bigger than size 13, so it was a little tight, but I played with it. It wasn't until I went to a basketball camp put on by Masai Ujiri, who's Nigerian, (current Toronto Raptors GM) that I got new shoes.
In 2010, the coach at New Albany High School in New Albany, Mississippi talked to some of my coaches in Nigeria and told them that they could get me an I-20 form in order to be able to come play basketball in the United States. As soon as my coaches told me about that chance, I took it. I wanted to further my education and the United States education system is so much more stable than the education system back in Nigeria.
I had a legal guardian in Mississippi that I was able to stay with during my time at New Albany and she really took care of me. I'm so appreciative of that, she really took care of me when I first came over to the states and I still talk to her to this day along with my host family that took care of me when I transferred for my senior year, Scott and Leslie Thomas and their two children. I'm so grateful to all of them for helping me adjust to life here. Really, everybody at New Albany High School helped me with my transition to this new culture, they were great to me.
I transferred to Huntington Prep, in West Virginia, for my senior year of high school because I felt like the competition in Mississippi wasn't making me better. There weren't any guys that were as big as me and I wanted to make sure I was improving my game because I was starting to get offers to play in college. At Huntington Prep, they had guys as big or bigger than me who I went against every day in practice. Not only that, but we had eight D-I players on that team my senior year and with players that talented, you know you're going after each other every day in practice and that's what makes you a better player.
The reason I chose to go to Arkansas is because I played for an AAU team in the area, Arkansas Wings Elite, alongside Bobby Portis who would go on to become my teammate with the Razorbacks. I just felt like I was familiar with the program because the coach for my AAU team was on the staff at Arkansas. It felt like a family to me because I knew a lot of the guys there already and that's why I decided to go there over some of the other big schools that recruited me.
The best memories I have from my four years at Arkansas are from going to the NCAA Tournament. Especially this past year, with a bunch of new guys on the team, we started the season not really playing that well. But, we were able to start figuring things out later in the year and made the tournament and then won our first round game against Seton Hall before coming up just short against the eventual National Champion, North Carolina.
One of the big things that I'm focused on improving in my game as I go through this process of getting ready for the NBA Draft is the mid-range shot. Teams today, they value guys that don't have to roll to the basket every time and can instead pop out and knock down a jump shot, so I've been working on improving that aspect of my game.
That said, I can't forget what got me here. I've got to do what I always do and focus on making sure my conditioning is right. I'm a guy who plays with a lot of energy, rebounding, running the floor, and I have to make sure that I don't go away from what got me here.
There are a couple of guys that I try to model my game after in the NBA right now. I watch a lot of Bismack Biyombo, of the Orlando Magic because he blocks shots, grabs rebounds and sets good screens. I like that style of play. Another guy is Clint Capela, of the Houston Rockets, because even though he doesn't get a lot of attention for the role he plays, I feel like he plays a really good role for them. He's not a guy that you depend on for scoring, but you depend on him for blocking shots, setting screens and rolling to the rim. Those are the kinds of things I feel I can bring to a team and want to continue to improve on as I play at the next level.
The fun part for me going through this process is getting better with every workout. Showing all of these teams that I know who I am as a player and what I can do has been a lot of fun for me. Also, getting to play with and against these other college athletes has been a lot of fun. In the coming months, I know I'm going to be playing with a lot of new people so it's good to get used to doing that now.
My goal isn't just to make it to the NBA. I want to have a long career in the league, hopefully 10, 12, or 14 years of playing in the NBA. But, it's not a sprint. It's a marathon. I know that I just have to keep working on my game and the more that I work on it the better that I'm going to get. For me, it's not about just being able to say I played in the NBA. It's about longevity and I know if I keep working on my game I can hopefully accomplish that goal.
A lot of experienced fantasy baseball owners do not risk high draft picks on relief pitchers before the season starts, because other than a few secure closers that go early, a lot of save opportunities "change hands" over the course of a six-month Major League Baseball season. By combing the waiver wire regularly, saves can be picked up cheaply after the draft, thus allowing a team manager to load up on other key categories in fantasy baseball that will win the league, eventually.
The same is often said about stolen bases, the oft-forgotten category on the hitter's side of the fantasy equation in baseball. Other than a few top, elite speedsters that actually will post decent batting averages, there's no point in drafting for stolen bases as players will show up during the season to provide the numbers for your team. Whether it's a rookie or a benchwarmer that suddenly gets playing time, steals can be found throughout the year that will ensure your roster doesn't finish dead last in the category. That's usually good enough to win the league.
Players to Get Onto Your Roster Now
1. Corey Knebel, RP, Milwaukee Brewers: He is the perfect example of a set-up man that grows into a closer. The club doesn't trust a young kid yet, so they go with a veteran who then loses the job through ineffectiveness. Knebel has 63 strikeouts in just 35 2/3 innings, and the 1.01 ERA is nice, too, of course. Strangely, he's still available in a lot of leagues around the online fantasy world, so grab him if he's still sitting there in your league. There's no risk here at all.
2. Cameron Maybin, OF, Los Angeles Angels: It's hard to believe, but Maybin was traded once (along with Andrew Miller!) for Miguel Cabrera. He's been very solid now for three years, and this season so far, he's stolen 21 bases and been caught just once. Maybin hit .315 last year, although his average is down to .267 this season. The on-base percentage is near a career best right now, and his walk-to-strikeout ratio is the best of his career. At age 30, he just needs to stay healthy, and Maybin can lead your team to the championship.
3. Felipe Rivero, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates: His situation is just like Knebel's scenario, really. Rivero just doesn't strike out as many hitters (only 41 Ks in 37 1/3 IP), although his 0.72 ERA is lower. He has just six career saves, but he's the man now for the Pirates. At age 25, Rivero is pitching better than he ever has before, and the time is prime to grab him before someone else in your league does. The 0.723 WHIP is pretty shiny, too. If Knebel is gone in your league, Rivero is a nice consolation prize.
4. Mallex Smith, OF, Tampa Bay Rays: His speed has been forecast for awhile now, and Smith is finally hitting MLB pitching well enough to stick with the big club. With 23 steals in 90 career MLB games now, it's clear Smith has the wheels to help your fantasy team. He's hitting .368 right now, and while that probably won't last, it's much better than the .238 average he posted with the Atlanta Braves in 72 games last year. Smith is a great option right now for speed if you need it.
Players to Sit/Drop This Week
1. Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Baltimore Orioles: Hopefully, he's not on your roster already, because now he's injured, too. His .226 batting average and mere 26 RBI are pitiful for the corner positions, despite his 14 HRs. He has an oblique injury that will now keep him out for at least three weeks, but Davis shouldn't be on your team, anyway. There are better power options out there at first and third bases, respectively, and healthier ones, too. Let him go, and never think twice about it.
2. Kevin Pillar, OF, Toronto Blue Jays: He's a huge fan favorite in Toronto, although that lifetime .305 on-base percentage is a killer for a guy that needs to get on base to be valuable. With just 17 RBI and a .257 average, Pillar's value in fantasy baseball is based on speed. With just 10 steals right now, though, he's not lighting up the base paths in a way that makes him worth a roster spot, considering the aforementioned statistical deficiencies. Bench him and see if his OBP comes around, but it's not likely.
3. CC Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees: He will be 37 in a month, and his huge contract with the Yankees is up at the end of the year. Sabathia has been a solid contributor this year, surprisingly, with a 7-2 record, a 3.46 ERA and a 1.248 WHIP. His 62 Ks in 75 1/3 IP have been decent, too. However, he's now on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and for a guy like CC who depends on his strong legs for his delivery, it's a bad sign at his age. He could miss a month, and there's no guarantee he'll be strong when he comes back. Thank him for the seven wins and say goodbye now.
4. Neil Walker, 2B, New York Mets: His teammates are dropping like flies, and the injury bug got to Walker last week. He's always been a reliable option at the position, providing power and a solid average. But he will be 32 in September, and his current hamstring injury is going to take at least a month to heal. Walker always has been above average for second basemen, in terms of OPS+, so he will be hard to replace. Stash him on the bench until he's able to play at his normal level again.]]>
Thousands, if not millions, of Americans host a Fourth of July barbecue every year. From hamburgers to lawn games to fireworks viewing plans, there are a ton of things to be done ahead of your big get together. Make sure your party stands head and shoulders above the rest this year with party favors worthy of such a historic day.
Custom Koozies
This is the gift that keeps on giving! Consider having custom koozies made for your guests. Choose red, white, and blue base colors and have custom sayings added to each one. Try to be fun and creative, as this is something that your guests can take home and use again and again. You'll definitely want to give these out before the day gets started or leave them in a basket near the cooler for guests to pick up when they grab a cold beverage.
Festive Plastic Sunglasses
This is another favor that guests can wear during the party and take home to reuse. Your local dollar store should have some really fun, patriotic plastic sunglasses that your guests will love to wear. It's a great way for everyone to show that they are Team USA!
Bottle Opener
Why not welcome your guests with their very own bottle opener? Just like the koozies, these can also be personalized with unique sayings. This is a small gift that will make your party guests smile every time they use it. If you don't want to spend the money to have them custom made, you can write on them yourself using a glitter Sharpie.
S'mores Kit To-Go
This super-easy to-go kit can be made ahead of time and doesn't require too much effort. Simply wrap two halved graham crackers, two regular-sized marshmallows, and half of a chocolate bar in cellophane. Attach a little note to the outside in red, white, and blue, with a matching ribbon. The note can say something like, "Take home s'more fun. Thank you for coming." Guests can heat their marshmallows at home in a firepit or even on the stove.
Doggy Bags
There really is nothing better than going home from a BBQ with some leftovers for the next day (or for later that night), and your guests will absolutely love you for it. Pick up some red, white, and blue containers or use colored ribbons to seal up everyone's doggy bags.]]>